Doa mengubah segala sesuatu - Regina Pangkerego

SAAT KEADAAN SEK’LILINGKU
ADA DI LUAR KEMAMPUANKU
KU BERDIAM DIRI MENCARI-MU
DOA MENGUBAH SEGALA SESUATU
SAAT KENYATAAN DI DEPANKU
MENGECEWAKAN PERASAANKU
KU MENUTUP MATA MEMANDANG-MU
S’BAB DOA MENGUBAH SEGALA SESUATU
DOA ORANG BENAR BILA DIDOAKAN, DENGAN YAKIN, BESAR KUASANYA
DAN TIAP DOA YANG LAHIR DARI IMAN BERKUASA MENYELAMATKAN
S’PERTI MATA AIR DI TANGAN-MU
MENGALIR KE MANAPUN KAU MAU
TIADA YANG MUSTAHIL DI MATA-MU
DOA MENGUBAH SEGALA SESUATU

Standing In The Fire / Berdiri Di Tengah Api

Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:17 

Wrapped in blankets in my grandparents’ pickup, I watched as fire consumed our home. My father says I slept soundly as he carried my brother and me and our puppies out to safety. When I woke up and saw the huge blaze, I was already safe. I was too curious and too young to be scared.

I remember several things from that night. Even inside the truck, the heat was intense and the fire was mesmerizing. I remember too the fear on the faces of everyone else, checking and re-checking to see if loved ones were safe. Later I learned that in the chaos my father raced into the fire to look for my grandfather, which prompted my grandfather (who was not inside the house) to race in to get my father. Their courage affected all who saw it that night.

I’m reminded of that fire every time I read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. When challenged with the decree to bow to the king or face execution (Dan. 3:10-12), these three bravely faced the fire for the One they loved (vv.16-18). And the Lord stood with them in the flames (v.25).

When life’s “flames” test us, may those who observe our choices recognize our love for each other and for our God.

For Further Thought
Read more of Daniel and his friends in Daniel 1–3.
How do their lives encourage you to stand firm for God?
Ask the Lord to help you make courageous choices today.

Trials are the soil in which faith grows.

 _________________________________________________________

 Jika Allah kami yang kami puja sanggup melepaskan kami, maka Ia akan melepaskan kami dari perapian yang menyala-nyala itu, dan dari dalam tanganmu, ya raja.

Daniel 3:17

Sambil terbungkus selimut di dalam truk pikap milik kakek, saya menyaksikan bagaimana api menghabiskan rumah kami. Ayah saya berkata bahwa saya tertidur pulas ketika membawa saya, kakak saya, dan anak-anak anjing kami keluar ke tempat yang aman. Ketika terbangun dan melihat nyala api yang membara, saya sudah aman. Saat itu, keingintahuan dan usia muda membuat saya tidak merasa takut sama sekali.

Namun saya mengingat beberapa hal dari malam itu. Walaupun berada di dalam truk, saya dapat merasakan panas yang menyengat dan kobaran api yang begitu mencengangkan. Saya juga ingat rasa takut yang terlihat di wajah orang-orang, ketika mereka memeriksa berulang kali untuk memastikan bahwa orang-orang yang mereka cintai sudah selamat. Belakangan saya mengetahui bahwa di tengah kekacauan itu, ayah saya berlari ke dalam api untuk mencari kakek saya. Tindakannya membuat kakek saya (yang sebenarnya tidak berada di dalam rumah) ikut berlari masuk untuk mencari ayah saya. Keberanian mereka menyentuh hati setiap orang yang menyaksikannya malam itu.

Saya ingat akan kebakaran itu saat membaca cerita Sadrakh, Mesakh, dan Abednego. Saat ditantang dengan titah untuk menyembah raja atau menerima eksekusi (Dan. 3:10-12), mereka dengan berani memilih dimasukkan ke dalam dapur api demi Allah yang mereka kasihi (ay.16-18). Tuhan pun berdiri bersama mereka di tengah perapian itu (ay.25).

Ketika “api” kehidupan menguji kita, biarlah orang-orang yang memperhatikan setiap keputusan yang kita ambil dapat menyaksikan kasih kita antara satu sama lain dan kepada Allah kita. —RKK

Untuk Dipikirkan Lebih Lanjut
Baca selengkapnya kisah Daniel dan teman-temannya di Daniel 1-3.
Bagaimana kehidupan mereka mendorong Anda untuk berdiri teguh
bagi Allah? Mintalah agar Tuhan menolong Anda
untuk mengambil keputusan yang berani hari ini.

Ujian adalah tanah tempat iman bertumbuh.

Source : odb

4 Reasons Not to Worry

 4 Reasons Not to Worry, By.Mary Fairchild

I've spent an awful lot of time in my life worrying. I've worried about grades in school, job interviews, approaching deadlines and shrinking budgets. I've worried about bills and expenses, rising gas prices, insurance costs and endless taxes. I've even worried about having my home in perfect condition for "company," and within seconds of their arrival, the house is turned upside down and no one even notices. 

I've worried about first impressions, political correctness, identity theft and contagious infections. In spite of all the worrying, I'm still alive and well, and all my bills are paid.

Over the span of my lifetime, worrying accounts for hours and hours of invaluable time that I'll never get back. So, I have decided that I'd like to spend my time more wisely and more enjoyably. If you're not convinced yet to give up your worrying, here are four biblical reasons not to worry.

1. Worrying Accomplishes Absolutely Nothing.  I don't know about you, but I don't have any time to waste these days. And worrying is a waste of very precious time. Worrying won't help you solve a problem or bring about a solution, so why waste your time and energy on it?
   
   Matthew 6:27-29 (NLT) Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
    
2. Worrying is Not Good for You. Worrying is destructive to us in many ways. It becomes a mental burden that can even cause us to grow physically sick.
   
   Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
    
3. Worrying is the Opposite of Trusting God. The energy that we spend worrying can be put to much better use in prayer. Here's a little formula to remember: Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust.(Worry - Prayer = Trust)
   
   Matthew 6:30 (NLT) And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 
    
   Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
    
4. Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction. When we keep our eyes focused on God, we remember his love for us and we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn't care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on his kingdom. God will take care of our every need.
   
   Matthew 6:25 (NLT) That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
    
   Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT) So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
    
    
   Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
   1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Love Forgives, By Janet Mullaly

The Love Dare : Day 40 – LOVE IS A COVENANT

Day 40 – LOVE IS A COVENANT

Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people

shall be my people, and your God, my God. 

Ruth 1:16

Congratulations.  You’ve reached the end of the Love Dare – the book.  But the experience and challenge of loving your mate is something that never comes to an end.  It goes on for the rest of your life.

This book may end at Day 40.  But who says your dare has to stop?  And as you view your marriage relationship from this point on, we challenge you to consider it a covenant instead of a contract.  These two words sound similar in meaning and intent but are in reality much different.  Seeing marriage as a contract is like saying to your spouse, “I take you for me and we’ll see if this works out.”  But realizing it as a covenant changes it to say, “I give myself to you and commit to this marriage for life.”

There are many other differences between covenants and contracts.  A contract is usually a written agreement based on distrust, outlining the conditions and consequences if broken.  A covenant is a verbal commitment based on trust, assuring someone that your promise is unconditional and good for life.  It is spoken before God out of love for another.

A contract is self-serving and comes with limited liability.  It establishes a time frame for certain deliverable to be met and accomplished.  A covenant is for the benefit of others and comes with unlimited responsibility.  It has no expiration date.  It is “till death do us part.”  A contract can be broken with mutual consent.  A covenant is intended to be unbreakable.

The Bible contains several major covenants as part of the unfolding story of God’s people.  God made a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy all flesh with a worldwide flood (Genesis 9:12-17).  He made a covenant with Abraham, promising that an entire nation of descendants would come from his family line (Genesis 17:1-8).  He made a covenant with David, promising that a ruler would sit on his throne forever (2 Samuel 7:7-16).  Ultimately, He made a “new covenant” by the blood of Christ, establishing an unending, unchanging legacy of forgiven sins and eternal life for those who believe in Him (Hebrews 9:15).  Never once has God broken any of these covenants.

And then there’s marriage – the strongest covenant on earth between two people, the pledge of a man and woman to establish a love that is unconditional and lasts a lifetime.  In marriage, your wedding ring represents your covenant vows – not merely commitments you hoped to keep but premeditated promises, publicly spoken and witnessed by others.

As you’re read numerous times in these pages, keeping this covenant is not something you can do in your own strength.  There’s good reason why God was the One who initiated covenants with his people.  He alone is able to fulfill the demands of His own promises.  He alone is able to forgive the receivers of His covenant when they fail to uphold their part of the agreement.  But the Spirit of God is within you by virtue of your faith in His Son and the grace bestowed upon you in salvation.  That means you now can exercise your role as covenant keeper, no matter what may arise to challenge your faithfulness to it.

Especially if your spouse is not in place of receiving your love right now, the act of covenant keeping can grow more daunting with each passing day.  But marriage is not a contract with escape clauses and exception wordings. 

Marriage is a covenant intended to cut off all avenues of retreat or withdrawal.  There’s nothing in all the world that should sever what God has joined together.  Your love is based on covenant.

Hundreds of years after the prophet Malachi recorded these words, people are still wondering why God withholds His hand of blessing at times from their homes and marriages.  “You say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant…For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel, and him who covers his garment with wrong, says the Lord of hosts.  So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:14, 16).

Every marriage is called to be an earthly picture of God’s heavenly covenant with His church.  It is to reveal to the world the glory and beauty of God’s unconditional love for us.  Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love” (John 15:9 NIV).  Let His words inspire you to be a channel of God’s love to your spouse.

The time is now, man or woman of God, to renew your covenant of love in all sincerity and surrender.  Love is too holy a treasure to trade in for another, and too powerful a bond to be broken without dire consequences.  Fasten your love afresh on this one the Lord has given you to cherish, prize, and honor.

Your life together is before you.  Dare to take hold of it and never let go.

We dare you.

TODAY’S DARE

WRITE OUT A RENEWAL OF YOUR VOWS AND PLACE THEM IN YOUR HOME.  PERHAPS, IF APPROPRIATE, YOU COULD MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO FORMALLY RENEW YOUR WEDDING VOWS BEFORE A MINISTER AND WITH FAMILY PRESENT.  MAKE IT A LOVING TESTAMENT TO THE VALUE OF MARRIAGE IN GOD’S EYES AND THE HIGH HONOR OF BEING ONE WITH YOUR MATE.

 He has remembered His covenant forever.

 Psalm 105:8

 Source :

http://kairoskingdomwomen.wordpress.com

http://4marriagematters.wordpress.com

The Love Dare : Day 39 – LOVE ENDURES

Day 39 – LOVE ENDURES

Love never fails. 

 1 Corinthians 13:8

Of all the things love dares to do, this is the ultimate.  Though threatened, it keeps pursuing.  Thought challenged, it keeps moving forward.  Though mistreated and rejected, it refuses to give up.

Love never fails.

Many times when a marriage is in crisis, the spouse who is trying to make things work will go to the other, declaring in no uncertain terms that no matter what has happened in the past, he or she is committed to this marriage.  Their love can be counted on to last.  They promise.  But not wanting to hear this yet, the other spouse holds their position.  They still want out.  They don’t see this marriage lasting long-term.  Nor do they even want it to anymore.

The partner who has just laid his or her heart on the line, extending the olive branch, can’t handle the rejection.  So they withdraw their statement.  “Fine.  If that’s the way you want it, that’s the way it’ll be.”

But if love is really love, it doesn’t waffle when it’s not received the way you want it to be.  If love can be told to quit loving, then it’s not really love.  Love that is from God is unending, unstoppable.  If the object of its affection doesn’t choose to receive it, love keeps giving anyway.

Love never fails

Never.

That’s was Jesus’ love is like.  His disciples were nothing if not unpredictable.  After their final Passover meal together, when Jesus told them they would all forsake Him before the night was over, Peter declared, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away…Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (Matthew 26:33, 35).  All the other disciples echoed the very same promise.

But later that night, Jesus’ inner circle of followers – Peter, James, and John – would sleep through Christ’s agony in the garden.  On the way to Christ’s crucifixion, Peter would deny Him three times in the courtyard.  But at that precise moment, the Bible says Jesus “turned and looked” at him (Luke 22:61).  His men had failed Him – again – within hours of their sworn promises.  Yet He never stopped loving them, because He and His love are “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

When you have done everything within your power to obey God, your spouse may still forsake you and walk away – just a Jesus’ followers did to Him.  But if marriage fails, if your spouse walks away, let it not be because you gave up or stopped loving them.

Love never fails.

Of the nine “fruits of the Spirit” listed in Galatians 5, the first of all is love.  And because the unchanging Holy Spirit is its source – the same Holy Spirit who dwells in the hearts of all believers – then the love He creates in you is unchanging as well.  It is based on the will of God, the calling of God, and the Word of God – all unchanging things.  The Bible declares them “irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Luke 21:33).

Only a few days ago you were Love Dared to build your marriage on the Word of God.  That’s because when all else fails, the truth of God will still be standing.  Along the way you have also been dared to be patient, to be unselfish, to sacrifice for your mate’s needs.

These are not just loving ideas, existing in isolation.  Each quality of love outlined in this book is based on the love of God, captured and expressed in the Word of God.  The unchanging Word of God.  No challenge or circumstance can occur that will ever put an expiration date on Him or His love..  Therefore, you love – made of the same substance – bears the same, unchanging characteristics.

Love never fails.

So today your dare is to put your unfailing love into the most powerful, personal words you can.  This is your chance to declare that no matter what imperfections exist – both in you and in your spouse – your love is greater still.  No matter what they’ve done or how often they’ve done it, you choose to love them anyways.  Though you’ve been far from steady in your treatment of them over the years, your days of being inconsistent in love are over.  You accept this one man or woman as God’s special gift to you, and you promise to love them until death.

You’re saying to your spouse, “Even if you don’t like what you’re reading – even if you don’t like me – I choose to love you anyway.  Forever.”

Because love never fails.

TODAY’S DARE

SPEND TIME IN PERSONAL PRAYER, THEN WRITE A LETTER OF COMMITMENT AND RESOLVE TO YOUR SPOUSE, INCLUDE WHY YOU ARE COMMITTING TO THIS MARRIAGE UNTIL DEATH, AND THAT YOU HAVE PURPOSED TO LOVE THEM NO MATTER WHAT.  LEAVE IT IN A PLACE THAT YOUR MATE WILL FIND IT.

He delights in unchanging love.   

Micah 7:18

Source :

http://kairoskingdomwomen.wordpress.com

http://4marriagematters.wordpress.com

The Love Dare : Day 38 – LOVE FULFILLS DREAMS

 Day 38 – LOVE FULFILLS DREAMS

  

Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you

the desires of your heart. 

 Psalm 37:4

What is something your spouse would really, really love?  And how often do you ask yourself that question?

Common sense tells us we can’t give our wife or husband everything they might like.  Our budgets and account balances tell us we probably couldn’t afford it anyway.  And even if we could, it might not be good for us.  Or for them.

But perhaps you’ve let “no” become too quick a response.  Perhaps you’ve let this negative default setting become too reasoned and rational, too automatic.  What if instead of dismissing the though, you did your best to honor it.  What might happen if the one thing they said you’d never do for them became the next thing you did?

Love sometimes needs to be extravagant.  To go all out.  It sometimes needs to set aside the technicalities and just bless because it wants to.

Is that thinking too much like a teenager? Is love like this no longer on the menu after so many years of marriage?  After all, with the way your relationship might be at the moment, wouldn’t it be less than genuine to indulge your spouse if your heart’s not in it?

Well, how about putting your heart in it.  How about adopting a new level of love that actually wants to fulfill every dream and desire you possible can.

Hasn’t God’s love met needs in your heart that once seemed out of the question?  You were living under such a load of sin and regret, you though you’d never earn your way back into His good graces.  But He looked at you with love and said you didn’t have to.  He wanted you back.  He wanted you to realize your need for Him, and that as you repented and turned to Him, He would love and forgive you.  “God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5).

You though life was over when a certain setback took all the wind out of your sails.  You broke down and cried out to Him.  You prayed like you’d never prayed before.  And though it wasn’t easy getting back up and walking on, you somehow survived.  He met you with His promised peace “which surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:7) and kept you on your feet.

It wasn’t when you were behaving like an angel that God chose to pour out His love on you.  It wasn’t because you were so deserving that He offered you His grace.  “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

He’s your model.  He’s the One your love is designed to imitate.  Though you weren’t a likely candidate for His love, He gave it anyway.  He paid the price.

Not everything your spouse wants has a hefty price tag.  Not everything he or she desires can be bought with money.  Your wife may really want your time.  She may really want your attention.  She may really want to be treated like a lady, to know that her husband considers her his greatest treasure.  She may really want to see in your eyes a love that chooses to be there no matter what.

Your husband may really want your respect.  He may really want you to acknowledge him as the head of the house in front of the children.  He may really want you to put your arms around his neck for no apparent reason, surprising him with a long kiss or a love note when there’s not even a birthday or anniversary to justify it.  He may really need to know that you still think he’s strong and handsome, the way you used to.

Dreams and desires come in all shapes and sizes.  But love takes careful notice of each one.

• Love calls you to listen to what your mate is saying and hoping for.
• Love calls you to remember the things that are unique to your relationship, the pleasures and enjoyments that bring a smile to the other’s face.
• Love calls you to give when it would be a lot more convenient to wait.
• And love calls you to daydream about these opportunities so regularly that their desires become yours as well.

We dare you to think in terms of overwhelming your spouse with love.  To surprise them by exceeding all their expectations with your kindness.  It may or may not be a financial sacrifice, but it needs to reflect a heart that is willing to express itself with extravagance.

What is something your spouse would really, really love?

It’s time you started living out the answer to that question.

TODAY’S DARE

ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOUR MATE WOULD WANT IF IT WAS OBTAINABLE.  COMMIT THIS TO PRAYER, AND START MAPPING OUT A PLAN FOR MEETING SOME (IF NOT ALL) OF THEIR DESIRES, TO WHATEVER LEVEL YOU POSSIBLE CAN.

God is able to make all grace abound to you.  

 2 Corinthians 9:8

 Source :

http://kairoskingdomwomen.wordpress.com

http://4marriagematters.wordpress.com